His mission now is to raise awareness for prostate awareness, and that will include auctioning off several of his personal items (including his NL MVP Award) to raise money for the cause.

“I was thrown a pretty good curveball by God,” Garvey told the Los Angeles Times. “I felt I was being challenged to work for prostate awareness for men and the women who love them.”

During his 19-season major league career, Garvey hit .294/.329/.446 with 272 homers and 1,308 RBIs. He was named the 1974 NL MVP and twice was the MVP of the All-Star Game (in his 10 All-Star appearances). Garvey also was a two-time NLCS MVP.

He spent 13 full seasons (and part of another) with the Dodgers and five full seasons with the Padres.